An ecosytem perspective on threats to biodiversity in the eastern Amazonia, Pará state

UHL, Christopher; BEZERRA, Oswaldo; MARTINI, Adriana. An Ecosystem Perspective on Threats to Biodiversity in Eastern Amazonia, Pará State. In: Perspectives on Biodiversity: Case Studies of Genetic Resource Conservation and Development (Aaas Publication, 93-10s). [S. l.]: [s.n], 1993. Cap. 16, p. 213–230.

Introduction

Amazonia is brimming with life. But human activities are increasingly in conflict with the health and longevity of this natural life. Tensions began centuries ago with the arrival of merchants and fortune seekers and continue today as colonists, ranchers, loggers, miners, and large hydroelectric projects occupy Amazonia. The species-rich forests and aquatic environments of Amazonia are sources of livelihood for some and wealth and power for others.

Amazon exploitation and settlement activities are concentrated in the southern and eastern flanks of the Basin, the fronts of exploitation having extended into Amazonia from Brazil’s Northeast and Central-South regions. Nowhere is this human advance on Amazonia more apparent than in Pará State in Eastern Amazonia. While Pará occupies one-third of the land area of the Brazilian Amazon, It accounts for over 50% of the timber, cattle, and mineral production of the region.

Within the State of Pará, land-based economio activities (e.g., ranching and logging) are associated with road systems while aquatic-based activities (e.g., gold mining and dam building) are associated with the tributaries flowing out of the Guiantan Shield to the north and the Brazilian Shield to the south of the Amazon River. Pará is also noteworthy for its geologic, topographie, and climatic diversity, housing an array of vegetation types and animal communities. Upland evergreen forest occupies significant areas below the Amazon River down through the central part of Pará. Semi-deciduous forests, palm forests, and vine forests are concentrated in regions of transition where tall forest grades into “Cerrado” vegetation. Isolated formations of low hill forests occur in the region of the Carajas Iron-ore deposits. Savannas are common to the north of the Amazon River, In the eastern half of Marajo Island and in the lower reaches of the Tocantins River. Meanwhile, the Lower Amazon and its estuary contain a rich mix of aquatic ecosystems, including forests that are flooded seasonally or even daily (tidal Influence), natural grasslands, and varzea lakes.